In preparation for this week’s opening of the Health Care Exchanges, a key component of the ACA, state and local Leagues throughout the country have been working with government agencies, health care providers and advocates to get the word out to the American people on the Affordable Care Act and its pivotal impact on their lives. Leagues have also been at the forefront of efforts to assure that state governments work with, not against, the ACA in bringing health care coverage to all. Over the past few months, state League Presidents have participated in calls with HHS officials to learn more about the law, lobbied their state legislatures to create state exchanges and held public meetings where citizens could learn more about the ACA.

The Affordable Care Act has already made a difference in the lives of many Americans. Children are no longer denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, young adults can stay on their parents’ health plans as dependents until age 26 and Medicare participants will have annual check-ups and mammograms. As of October 1, many uninsured Americans began to sign up for Health Care Exchanges and we are one step closer to health care for all.